Connector receptacle having a tongue

ABSTRACT

Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/482,830, filed Apr. 10, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/543,748, filed Nov. 17, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,640,885, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplications No. 61/905,278, filed Nov. 17, 2013, 61/918,608, filed Dec.19, 2013, 61/922,849, filed Jan. 1, 2014, and 62/003,022, filed May 26,2014, which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The amount of data transferred between electronic devices has growntremendously the last several years. Large amounts of audio, streamingvideo, text, and other types of data content are now regularlytransferred among desktop and portable computers, media devices,handheld media devices, displays, storage devices, and other types ofelectronic devices. Power may be transferred with this data, or powermay be transferred separately.

Power and data may be conveyed over cables that may include wireconductors, fiber optic cables, or some combination of these or otherconductors. Cable assemblies may include a connector insert at each endof a cable, though other cable assemblies may be connected or tetheredto an electronic device in a dedicated manner. The connector inserts maybe inserted into receptacles in the communicating electronic devices toprovide paths for power and data.

These receptacles may be visible along a side of a device and mayconsume internal space inside the device. Accordingly, it may bedesirable to provide receptacles having a reduced profile and size, aswell as pleasant appearance. Also, the data rates through theseconnector receptacles may be quite high. To provide these high datarates, it may be desirable that the connector receptacles have a highsignal integrity and low insertion loss.

These connector inserts may be inserted into a device receptacle once ormore each day for multiple years. It may be desirable that theseconnector inserts and receptacles are reliable and do not break or weardown prematurely, since such failures may lead to user dissatisfactionwith both the cable assembly and the electronic devices that theyconnect to.

Electronic devices may be sold in the millions, with an attendant numberof cable assemblies and their connector inserts sold alongside. Withsuch volumes, any reduction or simplification in the manufacturingbecomes significant. For such reasons, it may be desirable that theseconnector inserts and receptacles are readily manufactured.

Thus, what is needed are connector inserts and receptacles that have anattractive appearance, a low profile, a high signal integrity and lowinsertion loss, are reliable, and are readily manufactured.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connectorinserts, receptacles, and other structures that have an attractiveappearance, a low profile, a high signal integrity and low insertionloss, are reliable, and are readily manufactured.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provideattractive electronic devices by providing a connector receptacle havinga reduced complexity and a resulting simplified appearance. This reducedcomplexity may also improve device manufacturability and reliably, andimprove durability as well.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide aconnector receptacle having a reduced complexity by providing aconnector receptacle having a tongue located in an opening or recess inan enclosure or housing for an electronic device. The opening or recessin the enclosure may be formed as part of the enclosure, where theenclosure itself may form sides of the connector receptacle. That is,the enclosure may form top, bottom, left, and right sides of theenclosure. In various embodiments of the present invention, at least aportion of a back of the connector receptacle may be formed by thehousing or enclosure as well. In some embodiments of the presentinvention, a slot may be formed in the enclosure at a rear of theconnector receptacle. A tongue may be inserted through the slot into theopening or recess in the enclosure that forms part of the connectorreceptacle. Positioned in this way, it may mate with a connector insertwhen the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle. Thetongue may be part of a printed circuit board, attached to a printedcircuit board, the device enclosure, or other structure associated withor connected to a printed circuit board or device enclosure. In stillother embodiments of the present invention, a rear of the connectorreceptacle may be formed by a bracket, where the bracket at leastpartially surrounds the tongue. The bracket may be attached to a printedcircuit board, to the device enclosure, or other structure associatedwith or connected to a printed circuit board or device enclosure. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the tongue may be insertedthrough a slot in the bracket, or the bracket may be formed around orotherwise attached to a part of the tongue.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide deviceshaving a low profile by employing a tongue formed of a printed circuitboard. Contacts may be printed, plated, or otherwise formed on a surfaceof the printed circuit board. This may provide a thin tongue, therebyhelping to reduce the profile of the connector. Also, this configurationmay remove the need for conventional spring-type signal contacts thatmay increase a profile or height of a receptacle. The removal of thesespring-type signal contacts may also improve the reliability anddurability of these connectors. Specifically, connector inserts or otheritems won't be caught on these contacts, thereby damaging the receptacleand device. Instead, embodiments of the present invention may includethese spring-type signal contacts in the connector insert or plug. Thisway, if a spring-type signal contact is damaged, only a cable may needto be replaced and the device itself may not be damaged.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a tongue formed of aprinted circuit board may be formed as part of a motherboard, main logicboard, or other printed circuit board or appropriate substrate. Contactson the tongue may electrically connect to circuits, contacts,components, and other electronic components on the printed circuit boardusing traces, planes, jumpers, cables, and other electrical paths in orassociated with the printed circuit board. In various embodiments, atongue may be formed on an edge of a printed circuit board. The tonguemay be inserted in a slot in a back of a receptacle opening formed in adevice enclosure in order to form a connector receptacle to mate with aconnector insert.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provideconnector receptacles having good retention properties. For example, aconnector receptacle tongue may include notches on each of a left andright side, where the notches accept side ground contacts on a connectorinsert when the connector insert is inserted into the connectorreceptacle. In some embodiments of the present invention, the tongue maybe very thin, and may show wear along the notches after repeated use.Accordingly, these embodiments may include other retention elements,such as speed bumps, one either or both a top and bottom side. Thesespeed bumps may help to distribute the retention load among multiplestructures thereby preventing excessive localized wear. These speedbumps may be connected to ground and may provide a portion of a groundshielding as well as a retention force. The speed bump may be shaped toprovide a pleasant tactile feel to a user. For example, the insertionprofile may be made to be smooth, while requiring a strong extractionforce. Use of these speed bumps may also help to reduce wear on thetongue of the receptacle, thereby improving durability and reliability.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provideconnector inserts to mate with these connector receptacles. One specificembodiment may provide a connector insert having a tip formed of plasticor other non-marring material at a front end. This plastic tip may helpto reduce wear during repeated insertions. The connector insert mayinclude a grounded metallic shield behind the tip for isolationpurposes. One or more spring contacts may be attached to an insideportion of the shield to engage the speed bumps or other retentionfeatures on the receptacle tongue. This may provide retention and it mayprovide a ground path from the shield, through the spring contacts, tothe tongue of the connector receptacle. In other embodiments of thepresent invention, other structures, such as dimples, may be used toform this ground path and to provide retention.

In other embodiments of the present invention, ground or electromagneticinterference (EMI) features may be located elsewhere. For example, invarious embodiments of the present invention, side contacts may bearranged on each of two sides of a receptacle tongue. The tongue mayhave a wide front portion to support a number of contacts. The tonguemay then have a narrower portion behind the front, wider portion, wherethe side ground contacts are located. In this way, side ground contactsmay be added to a connector receptacle without negatively degradingappearance.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector inserts orplugs to mate with these receptacles. These inserts may include a shieldaround a number of contacts. The shield may have one or more cutouts oropenings to accept contacting portion of the side ground contacts in thereceptacle. That is, when the connector insert is inserted into thereceptacle, the side ground contacts may slide along an inside of theinsert shield until contacting portions engage openings the insertshield. This may help maintain an attractive appearance for both theconnector receptacle and insert.

These arrangements may provide a plug and receptacle combination that isself-shielded, that is, the combination does not rely on other features,such as features located in the device enclosure, for shielding. In oneexample, an outside of the plug may be shielded. Spring contacts may beattached to an inside of the shield. These spring contacts may form anelectrical connection with speed bumps and ground pads on a tongue ofthe connector receptacle. This may form a Faraday cage around contactson the tongue. In another, side ground contacts on a receptacle tonguemay slide along an inside surface of an insert shield during insertion,where contacting portions of the side ground contacts fit in opening inthe insert shield. These configurations may form a Faraday cage aroundcontacts on the tongue.

Again, in various embodiments of the present invention these shieldingarrangements may be further improved. For example, a ground plane may beplaced at or near a center of the receptacle tongue. This ground planemay help to isolate signal paths on a top side of the tongue from abottom side of the tongue. The plug may have a similar ground planelocated between a top row of signal contacts and a bottom row of signalcontacts. Again, this plug ground plane may help to isolate signals inthe top row of signal contacts from the bottom row of signal contacts.This ground plane may be located in a housing and may be between receiveand transmit signal contacts. The ground plane may be absent under oneor more contacts in order to provide wider housing areas for mechanicalsupport and to prevent the thinning of the housing that may otherwiseresult.

In various embodiments of the present invention, spring contacts forground in a connector insert may engage signal (non-ground) or powercontacts on the receptacle tongue during insertion. To avoid shortingpower contacts to ground, the spring contacts may be spaced such thatthey do not encounter the power contacts, or make other undesirableconnections to other contacts, during insertion.

As described above, a tongue may be mated to a device enclosure housingthese connector receptacles in different ways in different embodimentsof the present invention. Again, an opening or recess in a devicehousing or enclosure may form a receptacle opening, and a rear or backof the receptacle opening may have a slot or opening or passage. Thetongue of the receptacle may be slid through the slot and into theconnector receptacle opening. Where one or more speed bumps are used,the slot may be wide enough to accept the speed bumps, or the speedbumps may be attached after the tongue is fit through the slot. In otherembodiments of the present invention, a back of the connector receptaclemay be open or absent. In this case, a bracket piece may be formedaround, soldered to, or otherwise connected to the tongue. This piecemay then form the back of the connector receptacle. In still otherembodiments of the present invention, the tongue of the receptacle maybe formed as part of a printed circuit board for an electronic device.The tongue may be fit through a slot in the back of an opening in anenclosure for the device, thereby forming the connector receptacle.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provideconnector receptacles having a high signal quality by simplifying theirphysical signal path. In one embodiment, the connector receptacle may beformed primarily of a printed circuit board. Contacts on the connectorreceptacles may be akin to conventional contacts on a printed circuitboard. These contacts may have reduced size to decreasecontact-to-contact and other stray capacitance. This reduced size mayalso help limit reflections that may otherwise occur from stub-effectswithin the contact. Resistance may also be reduced. These reductions incapacitance, stub-effects, and resistance may help improve signalquality, reduce insertion loss, and help improve impedance matching.

Embodiments of the present invention may route traces through theprinted circuit board to these contacts. These traces may be matchedimpedance lines. For example, strip line impedance techniques may beemployed in routing signals away from the contacts through the printedcircuit board.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide connectorinserts having a plastic tip at a front opening. In other embodiments ofthe present invention, the front opening may be defined by a metalportion. This metal portion may be separate from a connector insertshield, or it may be formed as part of the connector insert shield. Themetal portion may be optionally coated with a material to avoid marringafter repeated insertions into a connector receptacle. Forming the tipfrom metal may increase the strength of the connector insert, making itless likely to be damaged after repeated insertions into a correspondingconnector receptacle.

In various embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable toprovide a strong retention force between a connector insert and aconnector receptacle when a connector insert is inserted into theconnector receptacle. In various embodiments of the present invention,it may be desirable to provide this strong retention force withoutactually providing a locking feature. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent invention may provide side ground retention springs that mayprovide a strong retention force without providing or relying on alocking feature. These retention springs may be tapered in one or moreaxes along its length in order to increase its effective size withoutconsuming excessive space inside a connector. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, these retention springs may be located in a connectorinsert, though in other embodiments of the present invention, they maybe located in a connector receptacle.

Various embodiments of the present invention may provide connectorreceptacles where the tongue is formed using a printed circuit boardtechnology. In some of these embodiments of the present invention, thetongue may be a portion of a larger printed circuit board, such as amain logic or motherboard of an electronic device, a daughter board thatis attached to such a motherboard, or other type of board.

In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts and otherconductive portions of connector inserts and receptacles may be formedby stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-Dprinting, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions may beformed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphorbronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may beplated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductiveportions may be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing,machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portionsmay be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic,nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), or other nonconductive materialor combination of materials. The printed circuit boards used may beformed of FR-4, BT or other material. Printed circuit boards may bereplaced by other substrates, such as flexible circuit boards, in manyembodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector inserts andreceptacles that may be located in, and may connect to, various types ofdevices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktopcomputers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices,cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable mediaplayers, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remotecontrol devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector insertsand receptacles may provide pathways for signals that are compliant withvarious standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standards including USB-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI),Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™,Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP),Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and othertypes of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces andcombinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, orwill be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the presentinvention may provide connector inserts and receptacles that may be usedto provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of thesestandards. In various embodiments of the present invention, theseinterconnect paths provided by these connector inserts and receptaclesmay be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and othervoltage, current, data, or other information.

Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or moreof these and the other features described herein. A better understandingof the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained byreference to the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified side view of a connector receptacleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a connector insert or plug according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified side view of connector system includinga connector plug mated to a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according toembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according toembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a connector system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a connector system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates another tongue for connector receptacle according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a connector system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the connector receptacle of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates another connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of the connector receptacle of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates additional connector inserts according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates an oblique view of the connector receptacle of FIG.19;

FIG. 21 illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle FIG.19;

FIG. 22 illustrates the connector receptacle of FIG. 19 when a connectorplug is inserted;

FIG. 23 illustrates a variety of connector inserts which may be providedby embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a front view of the connector insert of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of the connector inserts of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a top cross-section view of a portion of a connectorinsert according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a retention spring according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 29 illustrates a top view of a retention spring according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-section of a retention spring according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates another cross-section of a retention springaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates a portion of a front of a connector insert accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 illustrates a printed circuit board including a tongue portionfor a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 34 illustrates an electronic device that includes the printedcircuit board of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 illustrates a pinout for a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 illustrates another pinout for a connector receptacle accordingto an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 37 illustrates a mapping of pins for various types of interfaces topins of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures,is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either thepossible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. Also, whileonly one surface of the tongue is shown in this in the other includedfigures, a second, opposite surface of the tongue may be identical orsimilar to the illustrated top surface and may include identical orsimilar features and structures.

This connector receptacle may be formed in opening 110 in enclosure 100.Enclosure 100 may include sidewall 102. That is, sidewall 102 may bearound a top, bottom, left, and right sides of the receptacle and may beformed as part of enclosure 100. In this and similar embodiments of thepresent invention, sidewalls, such as sidewall 102, may be formed as aunitary part of enclosure 100, sidewall 102 may be formed separatelythen attached to enclosure 100, sidewall may be molded, printed, orotherwise formed on enclosure 100, or other manufacturing techniques maybe used. Enclosure 100 may be a housing for an electronic device such asa portable computing device, tablet, desktop computer, laptop,all-in-one computer, cell phone, smart phone, media phone, storagedevice, portable media player, wearable computing device, navigationsystem, monitor, power supply, adapter, and charger, or other device.

This receptacle may further include a rear wall 104. In this and othersimilar embodiments of the present invention, rear walls, such as rearwall 104, may be formed with or as part of sidewall 102 of deviceenclosure 100. In these embodiments of the present invention, rear wall104 may include a slot into which tongue 120 may be inserted. Tongue 120may be formed as part of a printed circuit board, or tongue 120 may beattached to enclosure 100, a printed circuit board, or other structure.In other embodiments of the present invention, rear wall 104 may beformed separately. For example, rear wall 104 may be insert moldedaround tongue 120, or tongue 120 may be inserted through a slot in rearwall 104. Tongue 120 may be formed as part of a printed circuit boardfor an electronic device. The tongue may be inserted through a slot inrear wall 104, or rear wall 104 may be formed around the tongue portionof the printed circuit board. When rear wall 104 is formed separately,for example as a bracket, it may be attached to enclosure 100, a printedcircuit board, or other portion of the electronic device. In otherembodiments of the present invention, rear wall 104 may be attached inthis way using a bracket or other structure.

Connector receptacle may further include tongue 120. Tongue 120 mayinclude a number of contacts 130 surrounded by insulation area 140. Aground ring 150 may be formed around ground isolation area 140. Notches160 may act as retention features by accepting ground contacts in aconnector insert or plug.

This arrangement may provide a greatly simplified connector receptacle.This simplified receptacle may provide a streamlined, attractiveappearance to a user. Also, this connector receptacle may be free ofspring-type signal contacts on tongue 120, and may also be free of othercontacts or alignment features around opening 110 in enclosure 100,though such features may be added consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention. This streamlining also may also the reliability ofthis connector. For example, there are no spring-type signal contacts inthe receptacle to be damaged by improper insertion of a plug or by thepresence of debris or other manner. Instead, embodiments of the presentinvention move these spring-type signal contacts to the plug side. Inthis way, if spring contacts are damaged in one of these or other ways,only a cable may need to be replaced since the electronic device itselfis not damaged. This simplified connector may also provide a connectorsystem having a plug that may be rotatable and may be inserted in atleast two different orientations into the connector receptacle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according toembodiments of the present invention. This contact may include groundring 150 surrounding an isolation area 140. One or more contacts 130 maybe located in the isolation area 140.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide tongues, such asthis tongue, that may be formed as part of a printed circuit board foran electronic device. Various embodiments of the present invention mayprovide connector receptacles having other types of tongues. An exampleis shown in the following figure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. An electronic device may be housed in anenclosure 300. Enclosure 300 may have an opening 310 defined byreceptacle sidewall 312. Tongue 320 may include a number of contacts 330and isolation region 340. Ground ring 350 may be formed along sides oftongue 320.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified side view of a connector receptacleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, enclosure300 may include opening 410, defined by inner sidewall 302 and rearsidewall 304. Tongue 320 may be inserted through opening 410 in rearwall 304. In other embodiments of the present invention, rear wall 304may be separate from enclosure 300. In this case, rear wall 304 may beformed, such as by insert molding, around tongue 320 or otherwiseattached to tongue 320. Again, sidewalls in embodiments of the presentinvention, such as sidewall 302, may be formed as part of an enclosure,such as enclosure 300, it may be attached to an enclosure, such asenclosure 300, or it may be formed on an enclosure, such as enclosure300. Again, these enclosures, such as enclosure 300, may be a housingfor an electronic device such as a portable computing device, tablet,desktop computer, laptop, all-in-one computer, cell phone, smart phone,media phone, storage device, portable media player, wearable computingdevice, navigation system, monitor, power supply, adapter, and charger,or other device.

Embodiments of the present invention may also provide connector insertsor plugs to mate with these connector receptacles. An example is shownin the following figure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a connector insert or plug according to an embodimentof the present invention. This connector insert may include a tipportion 520, which may be located in front of shield portion 510. Tipportion 520 may be formed of plastic or other non-marring material toreduce wear on the connector receptacle and plug. One or more springcontacts 530 may be located in and attached to an inside surface ofshield portion 510. Housing 540 may include various electronic circuitslocated on one or more printed circuit boards. Housing 540 may alsoprovide a structured to be held by a user during insertion.

While in this example, tip portion 520 may be formed of plastic or othernon-marring material, in other embodiments of the present invention, atleast some of tip portion 520 may be formed as a one or more magnets oran attraction plate to be magnetically attracted to a one or moremagnets or attraction plate in or behind a rear wall of a connectorreceptacle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified side view of connector system includinga connector plug mated to a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention. A plug may include a shield portion510 and spring type signal contacts 610. These spring type signalcontacts 610 may mate with contacts printed or otherwise formed ontongue 320. Tongue 320 may be located in device enclosure 300.

Various types of tongues may be employed by connector receptaclesaccording to embodiments of the present invention. These tongues may beformed as a printed circuit board. These printed circuit boards may besmall and purposed for a connector receptacle, or they may be larger andincluded as part of a motherboard or other logic board for an electronicdevice. Examples of various tongues provided by embodiments of thepresent invention are shown in the following figures.

FIG. 7 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention. This and the other tongues shownmay be used in connector receptacles according various embodiments ofthe present invention. This tongue may include a number of contacts 710and an isolation area 720. Isolation area 720 may be surrounded byground ring or ground plane 730. Notches 740 may act as retainingfeatures and may mate with ground contacts on a connector insert.Portion 750 may be formed around a tongue and may act as at least partof a rear wall of the connector receptacle. Printed circuit boardportion 760 may be part of a larger printed circuit board, such as amotherboard or other printed circuit board in an electronic device. Inother embodiments, printed circuit board portion 760 may be a smallerprinted circuit board portion and may be joined to other printed circuitboards using wires, flex conductors, or other appropriate structures.

FIG. 8 illustrates another tongue for a connector receptacle accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. This tongue may include anumber of contacts 810 surrounded by isolation area 820. Isolation area820 may be surrounded by a ground ring or area 830. Again, portion 840may be part of a rear wall for a connector receptacle. Rear portion 850may include ground tabs 860, contacts 870, and posts 880 for mountingand signal attachment to a main logic, mother, or other type of printedcircuit board.

FIG. 9 illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according toembodiment of the present invention. This tongue may include a number ofcontacts 910 surrounded by isolation area 920. Ground pad 940 may alsobe surrounded by isolation area 920. One or more retention features,such as speed bump 950, may be included or attached to ground pad 940.Ground ring 930 may be attached around an edge of at least a frontportion of the tongue. The edge of the tongue may be chamfered and theground ring or band 930 may be shaped to mate with it. In otherembodiments of the present invention, the edge of the tongue may have anotch or raised portion along a center of the edge. Again, ground ringor band 930 may be shaped to mate with it. Portion 960 may act as a rearwall portion for the connector receptacle. Ground ring or band 930 maybe attached to rear portion 960 to be secured in place. Again, printedcircuit board portion 970 may be used to form an attachment to a secondprinted circuit board, or it may be part of a larger printed circuitboard such as a main logic or motherboard.

Again, embodiments the present invention may provide tongues forconnector receptacles were the tongues are quite thin. These tongues mayinclude side notches, such as notches 980 to act as retention features.Specifically, side notches 980 may engage ground contacts in a connectorinsert or plug. However, since the tongue is so thin, side notches 980may wear quickly after repeated insertions.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide otherretention features, such as speed bumps 950. The inclusion of thesespeed bumps may allow the retention force to be distributed amongmultiple structures, instead of placing the retention force on notches980 and corresponding side ground contacts. These speed bumps may haverising and falling edges to produce a desirable tactile response for auser during insertion and extraction of the plug. For example, speedbump 950 may have a smooth sloped leading-edge to provide a smoothtactile response to a user during insertion. A rear edge of speed bump950 may be steeper to provide a high retention force in order to helpprevent accidental extraction of the plug during use. Spring contacts inthe plug may engage the speed bumps 950 to provide the tactile response,retention, and ground paths. An example is shown in the followingfigure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a connector system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. This connector system may include a receptacle havingspeed bumps 950 on the receptacle tongue. The connector system mayfurther include a plug, which may include shield 510. Spring contacts530 may be attached to an inside wall of shield 510. Spring contacts 530may be soldered, or spot or laser welded to the inside of shield 510. Inother embodiments of the present invention, spring contacts 530 may beformed in other ways.

The plug may further include spring type signal contacts 1020. Springtype signal contacts 1020 may mate with contacts 910 on a surface of thereceptacle tongue. Kapton tape 1060 may be used to isolate signalcontacts 1020 from shield 510.

A center ground plane 1050 may isolate signals on a top row of signalcontacts 1020 from a bottom row of signal contacts 1020. Center groundplane 1050 may be located between high-speed signal pairs on the top andbottom rows of the contacts. Center ground plane 1050 may be notched inother areas or between these or other signals to increase the thicknessand stability of housing portion 1055. A center ground plane may also belocated in the receptacle tongue. This ground plane may electricallyconnect to center ground plane 1050 during insertion or it may beseparate from ground plane 1050 during insertion.

Rear portion 1040 of signal contacts 1020 may be electrically connectedto traces on printed circuit board 1030. Again, plastic or non-marringmaterial 520 may protect the connector receptacle and connector plugfrom marring and scratches during insertion.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a connector system according to anembodiment of the present invention. In this example, a receptacle mayinclude a number of contacts 910 in an isolation area 920. Ground pad940 may be surrounded by isolation area 920. Speed bump 950 may belocated on ground pad 940. Notches 920 may be included on sides of thetongue.

The connector plug may include a number of spring type signal contacts1020, side ground contacts 1110, and spring contacts 1010. Signalcontacts 1020 may form signal paths with contacts 910. Side groundcontacts 1110 may engage notches 1120 to retain the plug in theconnector receptacle. Similarly, spring contacts 1020 may mate withspeed bump 950 to provide further retention force.

In this way, retention force is provided by side ground contacts 1110mating with notches 1120, as well as spring contacts 1010 mating withspeed bump 950. This distributed retention may prevent excessive wear atany particular location in the connector receptacle, such as notches1120.

This arrangement also provides shielding for signals on contacts 1020and 910. Specifically, shield 510 (not shown in this figure) maysurround the plug. Side ground contacts 1110 may mate with groundednotches 940, while spring contacts 1010 may form another ground pathwith speed bumps 950 and ground pads 940.

During insertion, spring contacts 1010 may engage contacts 910 on thereceptacle tongue. Since spring contacts 1010 may be grounded, it may beundesirable for a spring contacts 1010 to engage a power pin on thereceptacle tongue. Accordingly, spring contacts 1010 (which may be thesame as spring contacts 530 and the other spring contacts herein) may bespaced apart or otherwise are arranged to avoid such contact. That is,spring contacts 1010 may be spaced or arranged to not make andundesirable connection to a power contact or form other undesirableconnections with other contacts during insertion of the plug into thereceptacle.

FIG. 12 illustrates another tongue for connector receptacle according toan embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a number ofcontacts 1210 may be surrounded by isolation area 1230. Ground pad 1220may also be surrounded by isolation are 1230.

Ground pad 1220 may be used to make contact with spring contacts orother structures in a connector insert. An example is shown in thefollowing figure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a connector system according to anembodiment of the present invention. In this example, the connectorinsert or plug may include one or more dimples 1540 for makingelectrical connections to ground pads 1220 on the receptacle tongue.Dimples 1540 may be attached to or otherwise associated with shield1530. Spring type signal contacts 1520 may make electrical connectionsto contacts 1210 on the receptacle tongue.

In other embodiments of the present invention, connector receptacles mayinclude other types of grounding, shielding, and EMI mechanisms andstructures. Examples are shown in the following figures.

FIG. 14 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. In this example, two ground plates 1450 are heldin place by collar 1460. Ground plates 1450 may include leading edge1452, which may extend from a front of ground plate 1450 to a ridge1454. This connector receptacle may also include tongue 1420 supportinga number of contacts 1440. This receptacle may be located in an opening1410 in a device enclosure 1400.

In this as with the other embodiments, tongue 1420 may be insertedthrough a slot in a back of an opening 1410 in device enclosure 1400.Tongue 1420 may be formed as part of a printed circuit board for thedevice enclosed by device enclosure 1400.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the connector receptacle of FIG. 14.Again, this receptacle may be located in opening 1410 of deviceenclosure 1400. The receptacle may include tongue 1420 supporting groundplates 1450. Ground plates 1450 may be held in place by collar 1460.Ground plates 1450 may include leading edges 1452, which may extend froma front of the ground plate 1450 to ridge 1454.

FIG. 16 illustrates another connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention. In this example, a ground shield1660 may be located on connector receptacle tongue 1620. Connectorreceptacle tongue 1620 may support a number of contacts 1640. Tongue1620 may also include notches 1630 as before. This connector receptaclemay be located in an opening 1610 in a device enclosure 1600.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of the connector receptacle of FIG. 16.Again, this connector receptacle may be located in opening 1610 ofdevice enclosure 1600. Connector receptacle may include a tongue 1620attached to and partially surrounded by a ground shield 1660.

FIG. 18 illustrates additional connector inserts according toembodiments of the present invention. Connector insert 1800 may includeshield 1810 located behind a front housing portion 1820. One or moreground contacts 1830 may be located near an opening of the connectorinsert 1800. Connector insert 1840 may include shield 1850 behind fronthousing portion 1860. Similarly, connector insert 1870 may include ashield portion 1880 behind housing portion 1890. One or more groundcontacts 1895 may be located near an opening of connector insert.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, ground andelectromagnetic interference shielding and retention features may beprovided by other structures. Examples are shown in the followingfigures.

FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a connector receptacle according to anembodiment of the present invention. This connector receptacle mayinclude tongue 1920 supporting a number of contacts 1940. Again,contacts 1940 may be located on a top or bottom of tongue 1920. Contactsmay be located on a relatively wide a front portion 1960, which may belocated in front of a narrower portion 1970. Side ground contacts 1950may be located alongside this narrower portion 1970 behind the widercontact portion 1960. In this way, side ground contacts 1950 may be atleast somewhat out of view to a user, thereby allowing the connectorreceptacle to provide an attractive simplified appearance. Inembodiments of the present invention where tongue 1920 is a printedcircuit board, the routing to and from contacts 1960 may be angled,curved, bent, or otherwise formed to accommodate the different widthalong the length of the tongue.

When a connector insert is inserted into this connector receptacle,contacting portion 1952 of side ground contacts 1950 may pass along aninside of a shield portion the connector insert. Contacting portion 1952may then engage or fit in openings in a side of the connector insertshield. In this way, scratches and marring caused by contacting portion1952 may be limited to an inside of the connector insert shield, therebypreserving the connector insert's appearance.

Side ground contacts 1950 may be formed as part of, or separately from,tongue 1920. Side ground contacts may be formed using a printed circuitboard, a metal such as stainless steel, or other material. Side groundcontacts 1950 may be attached to tongue 1920 or other receptaclestructures by soldering, laser or spot welding, or by other methods.

FIG. 20 illustrates an oblique view of the connector receptacle of FIG.19. Again, side ground contacts 1950 may be located to the sides ofnarrow portion 1970 of tongue 1920.

By placing side ground contacts 1950 along a narrow portion 1970 oftongue 1920, behind wider portion 1960, the inclusion of side groundcontacts 1950 may not significantly degrade the appearance of aconnector receptacle.

Side ground contacts 1950 may provide grounding and retentionproperties. Additional ground contacts 2050 may also be included forextra grounding and retention. These ground contacts 2050 may be locatedalong a top, bottom, or side of an opening 2010 in device enclosure2000.

FIG. 21 illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle FIG.19. Again, ground contacts 2050 may be included. These ground contactsmay include a substantially flat front edge 2110 leaving to asubstantially flat sloping portion 2120, which may terminate in ridge2130. A back sloping portion 2140 may extend from a ridge to a remainderof the ground contacts 2050. As before, contacts 1940 may be located ontongue 1920. Contacts 2050 may engage a connector insert shield toprovide ground and EMI protection.

FIG. 22 illustrates the connector receptacle of FIG. 19 when a connectorplug is inserted. Connector plug 2100 may include shield 2210 having anopening 2220. A contacting portion of side ground contacts 1950 mayengage or fit in opening 2220 of shield 2210. Again, side groundcontacts 1950 may be located along a narrow portion 1970 of tongue 1920.Tongue 1920 may include a wide portion 1960 supporting a number ofcontacts 1940.

FIG. 23 illustrates a variety of connector inserts which may be providedby embodiments of the present invention. Connector inserts 2300 mayinclude shield portions 2310 having side openings 2320. Side openings2320 may be used to engage contacting portions 1952 on side groundcontacts 1950. A number of contacts 2340 may be located in housing 2330.

FIG. 24 illustrates a front view of the connector insert of FIG. 23.Connector inserts 2300 may include a number of contacts 2340 for formingelectrical connections with contacts 1940 on tongue 1920 in a connectorreceptacle.

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of connector inserts according to anembodiment of the present invention. Again, connector inserts 2300 mayinclude a shield 2310 having side openings 2320. Side openings 2320 maycorrespond to side opening 2220 in FIG. 22.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide connectorinserts having a front plastic tip. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, this tip may be metal for increased strength. An example isshown in the following figure.

FIG. 26 illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. This connector insert may include shield 2610, frontportion 2620, side retention contact 2700, ground contact 2630, signalcontacts 2640, and housing portions 2660 and 2650. Front portion 2620may be used a front portion on other connector inserts provided byembodiments of the present invention.

Front portion 2620 may be formed integrally with shield 2610. In otherembodiments of the present invention, front portion 2620 may be formedseparately from shield 2610. In these embodiments, front portion 2620may be attached to shield 2610, or shield 2610 and front portion 2620may both be attached to a common structure, such as a housing portion,in the connector insert.

In various embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable toprovide a robust retention force between a connector insert and aconnector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted intoconnector receptacle. It may also be desirable that the retentionfeature providing this force not provide or rely upon a locking feature.An example of one such retention feature is shown in the followingfigures.

FIG. 27 illustrates a top cross-section view of a portion of a connectorinsert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thisconnector insert may include retention spring 2700. Retention spring2700 may be used as the retention spring in other embodiments of thepresent invention. In this example, signal contacts 2640 may be locatedbehind ground contact 2630. Shield 2610 may be formed with front portion2620. Retention spring 2700 may include localized points of concentratedforce 2712 and 2714. These localized points may act as inflection pointsto increase the retention force applied at contact portion 2710 to anotch in a tongue in a connector receptacle. Retention spring 2700 mayhave a variable shape and thickness along its length to increase itseffective retention or holding strength. This is shown further in thefollowing figures.

FIG. 28 illustrates a retention spring according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Again, retention spring 2700 may include localizedpoints of concentrated force 2712 and 2714. Retention spring 2700 mayfurther include contacting portion 2710 to engage a notch portion of atongue in a connector receptacle. Retention spring 2700 may furtherinclude connecting portion 2718, which may be connected to ground.

FIG. 29 illustrates a top view of a retention spring according to anembodiment of the present invention. Again, retention spring 2700 mayinclude localized points of concentrated force 2712 and 2714, as well ascontacting portion 2710 and 2718.

As shown, a width of the retention spring may narrow towards contactingend and contacting portion 2710. Specifically, a width along line A-Amay be greater than a width along line B-B. A similar principle may beapplied along the cross-section of retention spring 2700. Examples areshown in the following figures.

FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-section of a retention spring according toan embodiment of the present invention. At cross-section A-A, a top ofretention spring 2700 may be curved. This curved shape may efficientlyincrease a holding strength of the retention spring. The use of avariable thickness and a curved surface may efficiently increase aholding strength of retention spring 2700 for a given size.

FIG. 31 illustrates another cross-section of a retention springaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. At cross-sectionB-B, retention spring 2700 may be considerably narrower and have auniform thickness as it approaches a contacting portion.

FIG. 32 illustrates a portion of a front of a connector insert accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. As seen from its end,retention spring 2700 consumes only a limited area and takes advantageof the curved surface of the opening formed by front portion 2620. Thisarrangement may allow retention spring 2700 to provide a strongeffective retention force while consuming only a small portion of afront profile of a connector insert.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide receptacletongues that are formed using one or more printed circuit boardtechnologies. More specifically, embodiments of the present inventionmay provide receptacle tongues that are formed using printed circuitboards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these printedcircuit boards may be a portion of a larger printed circuit board.Examples are shown in the following figures.

FIG. 33 illustrates a printed circuit board including a tongue portionfor a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Printed circuit board 3330 may include circuits 3340connected to each other by traces 3550. A tongue portion 3310 may extendfrom a side of printed circuit board 3330. Tongue portion 3310 mayinclude a number of contacts 3320. Contacts 3320 may connect to traces3350 on printed circuit board 3330.

FIG. 34 illustrates an electronic device that includes the printedcircuit board of FIG. 33. This electronic device may be housed anenclosure 3510. Tongue 3310 may be located in an opening in the deviceenclosure 3510. Contacts 3320 may be located on printed circuit board3310.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide connectorreceptacles having very thin tongues. When a plug is extracted, springtype signal contacts in a top row of the plug may engage spring typesignal contacts in a bottom row of the plug. To prevent this fromcausing damage, power pins in one row may be arranged such that they arenot aligned with ground pins in the other row. A pinout providing thisis shown in the following figure.

FIG. 35 illustrates a pinout for a connector receptacle according toembodiments the present invention. This pinout may support a universalconnector that may provide and receive signals for more than onestandard or proprietary interface. In this example, P may be power, Gmay be ground, RX and TX may be differential signal lines, while the LSlines are control lines.

FIG. 36 illustrates a pinout for another connector receptacle accordingto embodiments the present invention. This pinout may support auniversal connector that may provide and receive signals for more thanone standard or proprietary interface. In this example, G may be ground,HVP may be power, the HS pins may carry differential signal pairs, USBmay convey USB signals, while RFU and C signals are control or othersimilar signals.

FIG. 37 illustrates a mapping of pins for various types of interfaces topins of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In this example, mappings for DisplayPort and HDMI, forreceiving and transmitting (sink and source), power chargers, and USBinterfaces are shown.

In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts and otherconductive portions of connector inserts and receptacles may be formedby stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-Dprinting, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions may beformed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphorbronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may beplated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductiveportions may be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing,machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portionsmay be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic,nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), or other nonconductive materialor combination of materials. The printed circuit boards used may beformed of FR-4, BT or other material. Printed circuit boards may bereplaced by other substrates, such as flexible circuit boards, in manyembodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector inserts andreceptacles that may be located in, and may connect to, various types ofdevices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktopcomputers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices,cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable mediaplayers, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remotecontrol devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector insertsand receptacles may provide pathways for signals that are compliant withone or more various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB)including USB-C, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), DigitalVisual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt,Lightning and other types of standard and non-standard interfaces thathave been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in thefuture. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide connectorinserts and receptacles that may be used to provide a reduced set offunctions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, these interconnect paths provided by theseconnector inserts and receptacles may be used to convey power, ground,signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or otherinformation.

The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presentedfor the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described,and many modifications and variations are possible in light of theteaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and with various modifications asare suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will beappreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modificationsand equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a connectorreceptacle having a front opening and comprising: a tongue; a firstplurality of contacts having contacting areas on a top side of thetongue; a first isolation region around the contacting areas of thefirst plurality of contacts; a second plurality of contacts havingcontacting areas on a bottom side of the tongue; a second isolationregion around the contacting areas of the second plurality of contacts;a ground ring around the first isolation region and the second isolationregion; and a rear wall portion around the tongue such that the firstisolation region is between the rear wall portion and the front openingof the connector receptacle, wherein each of the first plurality ofcontacts and the second plurality of contacts extend from the contactingareas through the rear wall portion to a contact tail, and wherein thetongue further comprises a top ground pad between the contacting areasof the first plurality of contacts and the rear wall portion, and abottom ground pad between the contacting areas of the second pluralityof contacts and the rear wall portion.
 2. The electronic device of claim1 further comprising a post attached to the tongue for mounting theconnector receptacle to a main-logic board.
 3. The electronic device ofclaim 2 further comprising a ground tab to provide a ground path fromthe ground ring to the main-logic board.
 4. The electronic device ofclaim 3 wherein the tongue includes notches on a right side and a leftside of the tongue, wherein the right side and left side are between thetop side of the tongue and the bottom side of the tongue.
 5. Theelectronic device of claim 4 wherein the tongue further comprises afirst rail located on the top ground pad and a second rail located onthe bottom ground pad.
 6. The electronic device of claim 5 wherein thefirst rail extends a majority of the length across a width of the tonguefrom the right side to the left side.
 7. An electronic devicecomprising: a connector receptacle having a passage in a deviceenclosure of the electronic device, the passage defining a frontopening, the connector receptacle comprising: a tongue; a firstplurality of contacts having contacting areas on a top side of thetongue; a first isolation region around the contacting areas of thefirst plurality of contacts; a second plurality of contacts havingcontacting areas on a bottom side of the tongue; a second isolationregion around the contacting areas of the second plurality of contacts;a first set of ground contacts along a top of the passage; a second setof ground contacts along a bottom of the passage, a first side groundcontact; and a second side ground contact, wherein the first pluralityof contacts and second plurality of contacts are located on a wide frontportion of the tongue, the wide front portion in front of a narrowerback portion, wherein the first side ground contact and the second sideground contact are substantially located behind the wide front portionand to sides of the narrower back portion.
 8. The electronic device ofclaim 7 wherein the first set of ground contacts are formed as a singlepiece.
 9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the single piece issegmented into three ground contacts.
 10. The electronic device of claim7 wherein each of the ground contacts in the first set of groundcontacts comprises a front sloping portion that slopes towards a centerof the passage and away from the front opening and terminates in aridge, and a back sloping portion from the ridge and away from thecenter of the passage and away from the front opening.
 11. Theelectronic device of claim 10 wherein a front edge of the tongue ischamfered.
 12. A connector insert comprising: a housing having a passagedefining a front opening; a top row of contacts, each located in acorresponding slot in a top portion of the housing; a bottom row ofcontacts, each located in a corresponding slot in a bottom portion ofthe housing; a top row of ground contacts between the top row ofcontacts and the front opening, each of the top row of ground contactsin a corresponding opening in the housing; a bottom row of groundcontacts between the bottom row of contacts and the front opening, eachof the bottom row of ground contacts in a corresponding opening in thehousing; a shield around the housing; and a tip portion around the frontopening, the tip portion formed as a portion of the housing, wherein thetip portion is between the shield and a front edge of the connectorinsert.
 13. The connector insert of claim 12 further comprising a firstside ground contact having a contacting portion in a first side of thehousing and a second side ground contact having a contacting portion ina second side of the housing.
 14. The connector insert of claim 12wherein the top row of ground contacts are formed as a single piece. 15.The connector insert of claim 12 wherein the top row of ground contactsare formed separately.
 16. The connector insert of claim 15 wherein thetop row of ground contacts are attached to an inside surface of theshield.